National Association for the Advancement of Colored People The 2020 Census: How You Can Help Promote an Accurate Count

Census background The census is an official population count of all United States residents Conducted every ten years, as required by the Constitution, Art. I, Sect. 2 Run by the U.S. Census Bureau, a unit of the Department of Commerce Data collection starts in April of years that end in “0.”

Why the census matters Census data is used for a variety of important decisions, including: Apportioning congressional seats Redistricting legislative districts Voting rights enforcement Federal funding decisions

Problems with past censuses Past censuses have routinely undercounted certain groups, including: African Americans and other minorities – almost 1.5 Million Black and Hispanics missed in 2010 Non-native English speakers Young children Home renters –Home OWNERS were slightly over counted in 2010 Low-income individuals

Problems with past censuses Past censuses have routinely undercounted certain groups, including: African Americans and other minorities Non-native English speakers Young children Home renters Low-income individuals

2020 census preparations Funding Staffing Digitization Experts are concerned that the Census Bureau is unprepared for the 2020 census due to uncertainty and concerns surrounding: Funding Staffing Digitization

Funding issues For the first time in modern history, Congress capped the overall cost of the census at the beginning of the decade The budget should be increasing as the Census Bureau ramps up its preparations for 2020, but instead the Administration cut back on the previous Administration’s 2017 budget request for the Bureau The Census Bureau has cancelled 2 of 3 field tests and delayed opening regional offices

Staffing issues The Census Bureau has a staffing shortage, thanks in part to the January 2017 hiring freeze Though the freeze has been lifted, more staffing cuts are coming As of April 2017, 157 jobs at the Bureau were vacant The Census Bureau Director resigned in May 2017, and a replacement has not been appointed

Digitization Past censuses relied heavily on paper census forms and door-to-door visits Change for Census 2020 80% of household will initially be asked to complete survey online If no response, a paper census form will be mailed 20% of households will initially be mailed paper census forms Digitization will likely present issues for those who lack internet or phone access (As of Oct 2017), 85% of computer systems were either incomplete or partially complete Many entities have questions about Testing and Security issues

How the Delta Chapters can help work towards an accurate census count Educate community members about the importance of the census. Conduct outreach on the digitization of the census. Reach out to members of Congress to express support for adequate Census Bureau funding. Consider partnering with other local organizations and state and local governments to promote the census. Urge state and local governments to participate in the Local Update of Census Addresses Program.

Questions? NAACP OFFICE OF THE GENERAL COUNSEL 4805 Mt. Hope Drive Baltimore, MD 21215 410-580-5790 kcraine@naacpnet.org legal@naacpnet.org